Hotel Lalba Suwako

The breakfasts were delicious, and the owner recommended a nearby restaurant with a tofu specialty course. It was the most memorable meal of my trip. The husband handles reception and knows enough English to get by; he was very friendly. The hotel is an old place run by an elderly couple. I stayed for two days near the end of October 2024 in a lake-view room. It was spacious for one person, well furnished, and clean. There was an air freshener in the room, which I assume was because of the lake nearby, though the lake didn't smell during my stay. You can air the room out if the scent bothers you. Parking in the vertical spaces was no problem with my Toyota Aqua. The slanted parallel spaces should also fit with some effort, or you could probably park parallel to the road and take two spots, as I saw some cars doing. A Kei or box car should have no trouble. Good value overall.

It's a small hotel with free parking and a pleasant walk along the lakeside. The rooms face Suwa Lake, with a nice view from the window and balcony. Staff were very friendly and breakfast was good. The high street, with a 24-hour pharmacy and plenty of restaurants, is a short 10-minute drive away.

Our stay at Hotel Lalba Suwako was great value, and we hope to return soon. The hosts were warm, attentive, and friendly. We communicated in Japanese, and they took real care to make sure we were comfortable. Dinner and breakfast were included. The owners cooked local dishes for dinner, including nabe, soba, poached trout, and a wide selection of other food, all done perfectly. My wife is vegetarian, but they were accommodating when we explained that meat and Katsuo-based dashi were okay for us, which helped a lot. Some rooms look out over the lake, and the location is convenient for bus stops. The castle is only a 10-minute walk away. We also had a 45-minute slot to enjoy the private onsen.

The spacious Japanese-style room was comfortable, though I had to pay attention to the temperature setting. I enjoyed the Showa-era atmosphere and will definitely come back. After booking, I saw in the newspaper that the hotel had reopened, so I arrived with high expectations. It's a simple, reasonably priced inn with excellent value. I had a party that night and wanted to avoid driving after drinking. The hot spring seems to be open 24 hours, and I was able to take a 4:30 morning bath. I also had it to myself the night before.